Chapter 57. Early "We have some great news," Garry said. We had decided to start having weekly meetings, where everyone could discuss problems and try to come up with solutions, things that they needed, any new ideas regarding the city, or report their progress. For now, the members were Arthur, Luke, Lucy, Chloe, Garry, and me. After each committee had elected a representative, they too would be allowed to participate. "The land is better than we expected, crops that were estimated to be ready for harvest in thirty days are ready in just twenty. And the land above the anthill has no words to praise. The rate of growth is twice as fast. According to the farmers, the crops on the land above anthill will be ready by this week while their due date was the end of next month." "We won't have a food shortage then, we can just keep growing more, the problem should be," Arthur said and looked towards me. "The water. I will start clearing the path towards the lake in two days. Once I give the green signal, we can start using soldiers to clear up the rest. Our only problem is bringing the water here," I said. "We can use the Adventure Hall, after the world quest is completed we can issue a daily mission of sorts. Ten gallons of water for a certain amount of points, the storage unit has an approximate space of 1 cubic meter." Arthur suggested. "How are the armors progressing?" I asked Garry as we would be needing them soon. "I don't have enough material for four hundred armors, hundred is barely doable. They will be ready in a week or two but for more than that, I will require more materials to work with." "I'll see if I find something suitable while I clear out the forest. Is there anything else?" Chloe raised her hand and spoke. "I want to accompany you." "Why?" I asked, she had no need to follow me into the forest. "To get stronger," "I won't help, you will 'technically' be on your own. I will only give you food and nothing else. And you three cannot follow me, there are duties you must do here." I said seeing that Lucy and Luke were about to say the same thing as Chloe. "Thank you," Chloe bowed and said. "Keep up with me, don't fall behind. I will not wait for you to catch up or slow my pace." I heard Ray shout. I was lagging behind by a bit, the pace at which we moved was fast. It had been four hours since we entered the forest and were continuously moving towards the water body. I was tired and wanted to rest, but Ray did not stop. He knew that I could continue, I myself knew that my body was a lot more capable than this. I had to fight monsters without any help, but no more than three monsters attacked me at once. But when one of them died, another one came out of nowhere. I knew he was pushing me to my limits, all so that I could get stronger because I took an oath. To kill every single one responsible for my brother's death. For that I could not be weak, that was the only thing driving me forward. That was my one and only goal. "I will not enter the tower," "Are you serious? We have so many people here that are capable enough, why do you have to stay?" I asked my husband, Robert. "You already know that I am not good at fighting, the only thing I have of use are these brains," he pointed to his forehead. "If they know that we have both left for the tower, no one will be safe." "The brain and brawn couple of Home, I never liked that title." "They don't know that you are smart as me, that is why the title still exists. Me being there won't change things by much, you too know that the second we are gone, they will attack. I don't want to put their lives at risk, they have followed us from zero," He really is a stubborn man. "Now I know where Ray got his stubborn side from," I huffed, "I get it. I don't know if we will be able to bring out things from inside, but if it is possible I'll bring out all the stuff that I think is useful. And be careful while I'm gone, doubt everything. I don't want to come back and find that you are missing." "I know, I know. I'll keep everything under control. You should go and get ready, there aren't many days left until the quest begins." "Boss, when do we send out the signal?" "After the world quest ends, contact all the area heads and start the plan. Tell them that the earlier they provide results, the better 'rewards' they get. And also to be ready if they fail." "There are bound to some that have died at the hands of the other Five," "So? We too have their insignias, and this is the only way to communicate. Everybody knew that this method was a double edge knife, still, they all agreed to it." "And what the tower? Is everyone going to enter it?" "Do they have a reason to stay back, there are no rules here dear Seb. Those left behind will have to survive on their own, I never asked them to follow me or obey me. They do so because they like my way of thinking. Free and Chaotic." Why will he not look at me? Why does that bitch, Chloe, get all his attention? I am so much better, but still why does he not look at me. I even joined this stupid army for him. "Catherine, your turn!" I was brought out of my thoughts as it was my turn. I didn't know why we were here instead of killing monsters, was physical training really that important when we could just level up and increase our stats. "Good Job! Next!" I was one of the best in my batch, I might even overtake our leader if this continued. I will have everything that I want, the way I get it does not matter. Chloe, she was trying to steal him away from me, so now I will have to snatch him back from her. "How many can enter?" "Three hundred fulfill the requirements if we include those from the other kings," "And from our side?" "Seventy at this moment, we could reach eighty if push them a little. Evan also wants to participate," I hesitated a little and said. Evan, my son, had shown great progress. But he had also been the target of many. Talent attracted jealousy, jealousy then turned into envy, and envy into hatred. "That stupid grandson of mine," Father thought for a while. "Let him enter the tower, I doubt anyone would be able to kill him. This could be an opportunity for him."